Beam status

MCR News

08 June 2026 19:16
    Beam ON


08 June 2026 18:54
    BEAM OFF - We are experiencing an issue with one of the extract kicker
    power supplies and are in the process of changing it for a spare. Beam
    should be restored shortly.


01 June 2026 15:18
    TS2 Timing issues have been resolved.


01 June 2026 14:55
    Attention TS2 Users: 
    
    There is an issue with Target Station 2 Instrument timing signals. Our
    equipment specialists are investigating the issue which may cause further
    problems until the cause has been remedied.


30 May 2026 18:38
    Beam back on 18:30


30 May 2026 17:52
    Still having trouble with the control of the RF systems. Machine physicist
    also on route to assist in resolving the issues.
    
    Update @ 18:45


30 May 2026 16:15
    Still having trouble with the control of the RF systems. Experts in
    currently working on the problem.
    
    Update @ 17:30


30 May 2026 14:19
    All equipment is back on, currently having control issue with the one of
    the RF system. Expert currently working on the problem from home.
    Update @ 15:30


30 May 2026 13:14
    The RF system has now been fixed. MMPS currently running up. Beam should
    be back on by 14:00


30 May 2026 09:07
    The issue with the RF system flow has been located. The fix requires a
    ceramic manifold to be replaced and new hoses are also needed. Mid
    afternoon is current estimate for works to be completed.
    Update @ 13:00


30 May 2026 07:49
    Experts currently on route to investigate the issue with the RF system.
    
    Update @ 09:30


30 May 2026 06:28
    Machine update:-
    
    We have a problem with the flow on a fundamental RF system and are trying
    to rectify the problem.


28 May 2026 18:15
    MS Beam restored to Target Station 1.


28 May 2026 16:51
    The RF issue has been resolved. The Hydrogen Moderator on TS1 is also at
    operational temperatures. We are in the process of locking up the TS1 TSA
    and will shortly be changing modes to run to both Target Stations. For TS1
    this will take an hour or so because we need to ramp beam slowly and
    monitor the Moderator parameters. We also need time to allow power
    supplies to warm up. A rough estimate for beam to TS1 is 18:00 Hours.


28 May 2026 15:53
    RF specialists are still investigating the Synchrotron RF issue. Update at
    16:30 Hours.


28 May 2026 15:22
    Experts still working on the issue with the control of the RF systems. 
    Update @ 15:45


28 May 2026 14:51
    Experts still working on the issue with the control of the RF systems.
    Update in 30 mins


28 May 2026 14:19
    Currently have a RF systems controls fault. Expert working on the issue.
    Update in 30 mins


28 May 2026 04:42
    The low beam current fault from earlier this evening has been fixed. We
    are currently off with an extract loss issue. Machine physicists are on
    their way to site to remedy.


28 May 2026 01:52
    We are currently working on the low beam current fault. We believe it is a
    diagnostics problem. We have staff on site looking at the issue. We will
    continue to beam at the lower current until the problem is sorted.


27 May 2026 11:35
    Attention Target Station 1 users:
    
    The technical teams are currently working on commissioning the spare H2
    compressor on TS1.  They are making good progress on this work, however
    there will not be any beam to TS1 today and it’s highly unlikely tomorrow.
    A further update will be provided tomorrow afternoon.


26 May 2026 16:47
    Attention Target Station 1 users:
    
    The cooldown of the H2 moderator failed this afternoon.  This was due to a
    motor failure on the compressor.  The technical teams are gathering
    information on the options available and the ISIS Leadership Team are
    meeting tomorrow morning to discuss then.  A further update will be
    provided by midday tomorrow.


26 May 2026 13:30
    Machine update:-
    
    At present the cool down on Target 1 moderators is progressing well, but
    we will have a better idea within the next few hours. We will put out a
    message early evening with an update.


25 May 2026 23:04
    Target staff have been in today and purged the H2 system which will run
    overnight. They will be back in the morning to start the cool down
    process. Please check MCR news for any updates tomorrow.


25 May 2026 18:21
    Beam restored to TS2


25 May 2026 17:54
    The faulty RF system is now operational. We are running up the Main Magnet
    Power Supply and anticipate restoring beam to TS2 by 18:30 Hours.


25 May 2026 16:39
    Our RF specialist is on site and has confirmed there is an Issue with the
    HPD in the Outer Synchrotron. We are running down the MMPS for access.
    Update at 17:30 Hours.


25 May 2026 16:19
    We have a problem with one of the Synchrotron fundamental RF systems. An
    RF specialist is coming to site to investigate. We may have to access the
    outer synchrotron to repair the High Power Drive. When we have more
    information on timescales we will give an update.


25 May 2026 00:47
    Beam restored to TS2.


25 May 2026 00:30
    BEAM OFF - The on call equipment experts are on route to site to further
    investigate the fault with the extract kicker power supply.
    
    Update @ 01:30


25 May 2026 00:11
    BEAM OFF - The beam is off due to an issue with one of the extract kicker
    power supplies and we are in contact with equipment experts.
    
    Update @ 00:30.


24 May 2026 16:40
    Attention all Target Station 1 users:
    
    Unfortunately we are still having issues with the H2 Moderator. 
    
    Following the replacement of the cooler in the compressor the cool down
    was started early this morning. By mid afternoon we usually expect to see
    some liquid in the system, but we are seeing signs of contamination.
    Despite changing multiple parameters, the system was still showing no
    signs of dropping into full liquid, so we made the decision to abort the
    cool down and setup to purge again tomorrow, aiming for a 2nd attempt at
    cool down on Tuesday. Tomorrow will see Target staff onsite to begin the
    running purges after the system warms up overnight.


22 May 2026 18:41
    MS Beam has been restored to Target Station 2


22 May 2026 16:12
    The Ion source magnet flange has been removed, cleaned and reinstalled.
    The Ion source has been refitted and is pumping down. The Ion source
    specialists did find a damaged feed through socket for the Extractor feed
    which has also been replaced. Once we confirm the Extract break down
    issues have been resolved we will run up equipment and restore beam to TS2.
    
    Work has progressed as planned on the TS1 Kaeser compressor so we are
    still on track for beam Sunday evening.


22 May 2026 12:59
    Further to earlier messages, we have not been able to resolve the Ion
    source extract power supply breakdown issues. The diagnosis now is that
    the breakdowns are occurring around the magnet flange. This will need to
    be removed for cleaning which will take at least 8 hours. We do not
    anticipate beam to TS2 until later this evening and TS1 Sunday evening.


22 May 2026 11:34
    Dear all,
    
    The He compressor which services the H2 Moderator on TS1 tripped this
    morning.
    
    The team have already started with the repair of the compressor, which
    requires a replacement heat exchanger - this should be completed today.
    However, following the repair, the H2 cryogenic system will require a full
    purge and cool down.
    The purging will require ~24 hours, which would then allow for the cool
    down to commence on Sunday.
    Following this plan, we do not expect to see beam returning to TS1 until
    late on Sunday at the earliest.
    
    TS2 is unaffected by these works. 
    However, the Ion Source issues are still being resolved, which affects
    both TS1 and TS2.
    We will give updates on progress when we get more information


22 May 2026 11:14
    The machine is now off due to a problem with the Ion source extractor
    power supply. Controls specialists are investigating. We will update when
    we get more information.


22 May 2026 10:41
    We have resolved the issues with the Ion Source and it is running. We are
    currently doing some machine set up running to Target Station 2. There is
    currently an issue with Target Station 1 which our specialists are
    investigating. We will update on TS1 Status when we get more information.


22 May 2026 09:00
    The Ion source issues have been traced to a faulty controls crate on the
    Ion source platform. Our controls specialists are currently trying to
    source spares. Update at 11:00 Hours.


22 May 2026 07:08
    Experts are still working on the issue with the Ion Source. Appears to be
    a comms type problem.
    Update @ 09:00


22 May 2026 05:13
    Ion Source is currently non-operational, expert is on route to the Lab.
    Update @ 07:00


22 May 2026 04:32
    BEAM OFF
    
    We are currently experiencing problems with the ION source. Equipment
    experts have been contacted.
    
    Update at 05:30


21 May 2026 12:24
    Beam is currently off whilst we investigate a diagnostics problem in the
    Inner Synchrotron. We hope to restore beam within an Hour.


20 May 2026 21:13
    Machine update:-
    
    MS beam restored to both target stations. Intensity is slightly lower to
    allow the source to settle overnight, and will be increased in the morning.


20 May 2026 08:31
    Maintenance day started at 08:30.